2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE coolant temperature

Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will ¯ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ¯ash, telling other drivers
you're about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ¯ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It's
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear
selection if the transmission shifts too often (e.g., under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions).
You may also want to activate the tow/haul mode if the
transmission shifts too often. See ªTow/Haul Modeº
for more information.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a
few minutes before turning the engine off. If you do get
the overheat warning, see
Engine Overheating on
page 5-33.
4-75

A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOLžcoolant will:
·Give freezing protection down to-34ÉF (-37ÉC).
·Give boiling protection up to 265ÉF (129ÉC).
·Protect against rust and corrosion.
·Help keep the proper engine temperature.
·Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:When adding coolant, it is important that
you use only DEX-COOLž(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOLžis added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner Ð at 30,000 miles
(50,000 km) or 24 months, whichever occurs ®rst.
Damage caused by the use of coolant other
than DEX-COOL
žis not covered by your new vehicle
warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-halfclean, drinkable waterand
one-half DEX-COOLžcoolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture,
you don't need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle's coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch ®re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
žcoolant.
5-30

Engine Overheating
You will ®nd a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-45. In addition, you will
®nd an ENGINE OVERHEATED, and a REDUCED
ENGINE POWER message in the DIC on the instrument
panel. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on
page 3-53.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode (V8 Engines Only)
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed, an
overheat protection mode which alternates ®ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In
this mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine
performance. This operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. See ªEngine Oilº in the
Index.
5-33

How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and look at the ¯uid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark.
If necessary, add only enough ¯uid to bring the level up
to the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of ¯uid to use, seePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-18.
Always use the proper ¯uid. Failure to use the proper
¯uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer ¯uid, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions before use. If you will
be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a ¯uid that has
sufficient protection against freezing. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on page 5-14for reservoir
location.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it. Add
washer ¯uid until the
tank is full.
Notice:
·When using concentrated washer ¯uid, follow
the manufacturer's instructions for adding
water.
·Don't mix water with ready-to-use washer ¯uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer ¯uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water doesn't
clean as well as washer ¯uid.
·Fill your washer ¯uid tank only three-quarters
full when it's very cold. This allows for
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
·Don't use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
5-44

97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-69for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
qInspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
qReplace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
qChange automatic transmission ¯uid and ®lter if
the vehicle's GVWR is over 8,600 lbs or if the vehicle
is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
þ In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC) or
higher.
þ In hilly or mountainous terrain.
þ When doing frequent trailer towing.
þ Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.qIf you haven't used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven't
changed your automatic transmission ¯uid, change
both the ¯uid and ®lter.
qChange transfer case ¯uid.
qExcept 8.1L V8 Engine: Inspect Positive Crankcase
Ventilation (PCV) valve.
An Emission Control
Service.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
qDrain, ¯ush and re®ll cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs ®rst).
See
Engine Coolant on page 5-29for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
qInspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-10

Coolant.........................................................3-45
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-45
Heater, Engine............................................2-24
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-32
Cooling System..............................................5-36
Cruise Control Light........................................3-51
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-61
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-12
Customer Assistance Information........................ 7-8
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-8
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-6
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-10
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-10
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-15
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.........................3-23, 3-29
Delayed Locking.............................................2-10
Dinghy Towing................................................4-60
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-61
Dome Lamps.................................................3-18
Door.............................................................2-10
Delayed Locking..........................................2-10
Locks.......................................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-13
DRIVER DOOR AJAR.....................................3-66
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-53
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-54
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-64
Driver............................................................1-30
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-30
Driving Across an Incline..................................4-36
Driving Downhill..............................................4-34
5

Engine (cont.)
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-45
Coolant......................................................5-29
Cooling System Inspection............................6-17
Exhaust.....................................................2-43
Fan Noise..................................................5-42
Oil .............................................................5-18
Overheating................................................5-33
Starting......................................................2-23
Entering or Exiting the Third Row Seats.............. 1-9
Entertainment System....................................3-129
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-129
DVD Distortion..........................................3-126
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Environmental Concerns..................................4-27
Erasing HomeLink
žButtons..............................2-60
Exit Lighting...................................................3-17
Express-Down Windows...................................2-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-46
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter.............................................................5-23
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-23
Finding a PTY Station
(RDS and XMŸ).......................3-80, 3-91, 3-104Finding a Station..................3-74, 3-78, 3-89, 3-102
Finish Care..................................................5-103
Finish Damage.............................................5-104
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-129
Flash-To-Pass.................................................. 3-8
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-77
Flat Tire........................................................5-76
Fluid.............................................................5-26
Automatic Transmission................................5-26
Power Steering...........................................5-43
Windshield Washer......................................5-44
FM Stereo....................................................3-127
Fog Lamps....................................................3-16
Folding the Seatback.......................................1-16
Folding the Seatbacks.....................1-10, 1-12, 1-21
Following Distance..........................................4-74
Footnotes........................................................ 6-5
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-29, 5-57
Four-Wheel-Drive Light....................................3-51
Front Axle Locking Feature...............................2-30
Front Axle......................................................5-58
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-18
Front Storage Area.........................................2-61
Frontal Air Bags.............................................1-79
Fuel Information Button....................................3-57
FUEL LEVEL LOW.........................................3-67
7

Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
E-85 (85% Ethanol)....................................... 5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-11
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-9
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-8
Gage.........................................................3-52
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Speci®cations.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-53
System Inspection.......................................6-16
Fuses..........................................................5-109
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-109
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-108
G
Gage............................................................3-45
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-45
Fuel..........................................................3-52
Oil Pressure...............................................3-50
Speedometer..............................................3-38
Tachometer.................................................3-38
Transmission Temperature.............................3-46
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-42Garage Door Opener.......................................2-57
Gasoline......................................................... 5-5
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Speci®cations............................................... 5-5
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming........2-60
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving................4-28
Glove Box.....................................................2-61
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-8
Headlamps....................................................5-60
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-59
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-61
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-59
Roof Marker Lamps.....................................5-62
Side Identi®cation Marker Lamps...................5-62
Headphones.................................................3-119
Heated Seats................................................... 1-5
Heating.........................................................3-29
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-48
8